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Iran’s Ghana mission went viral for mocking Donald Trump and offering friendship to Italy after Giorgia Meloni criticised him over Pope Leo.
Iran offers ‘resume’ to be Italy’s ally after Trump snubs MeloniA diplomatic post by Iran’s mission in Ghana has gone viral after it took a humorous swipe at US President Donald Trump while reaching out to Italy with an offer of friendship and alliance. The post came after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly criticised Trump over his remarks on Pope Leo.
"Dear Italy, Your PM just defended Pope and lost an ally in Washington — the Commander in Grief, yet the most powerfoolman on earth. We'd like to apply for the vacancy".
"Our qualifications: 7,000 years of civilization, a shared love of poetry, architecture, and food that takes longer to prepare than Trump's attention span. The only thing Iran and Italy have ever fought over is who invented ice cream. Faloodeh came first. Gelato came louder. We've been in a 'cold' war over this for 2,000 years," the Iranian Embassy in Ghana posted.
Meloni criticises Trump’s remarks
Earlier, Meloni called Trump’s attack on the Pope "unacceptable", marking a rare and direct criticism from a leader often seen as close to Washington.
Trump had triggered outrage by calling the Pope "terrible" and sharing an AI-generated image portraying himself in a Christ-like form, drawing backlash from political and religious groups.
Meloni stressed that "it is right and normal for him to call for peace and to condemn every form of war", highlighting the Pope’s role as a moral voice during global tensions.
Growing unease in Europe
The episode reflects wider discomfort in Europe over Trump’s rhetoric, particularly in Italy, where the Pope holds strong cultural and spiritual importance.
Iran’s new style of digital diplomacy
Against this backdrop, Iran’s Ghana mission used humour and sarcasm to join the conversation, reflecting a broader shift in its online diplomatic style.
Iranian missions have recently adopted a more informal and meme-driven tone on social media, blending geopolitics with humour and pop culture.
A recent example came from Iran’s consulate in Mumbai, which shared a post on the Israel–Palestine issue with an Indian touch, ending with the Hindi line, "Aur bhai, yahan gyaan bhi milta hai aur swag bhi".
In another post, the consulate used a popular Bollywood dialogue — "Abhi toh sirf trailer hai, picture abhi baaki hai" — while referring to Iran’s naval strength.
Tensions remain high
These developments come amid rising tensions between the US and Iran, including a US naval blockade targeting Iranian shipping routes near the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil supplies.
About the Author
Kanishka Singharia
Kanishka Singharia is a Senior Content Producer at Mint with a passion for news, trends, and the stories shaping the digital world. She specialises in spotting viral narratives by constantly tracking social media platforms and turning them into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Her work ranges from fast-paced breaking updates to sensitive human-interest features, blending speed with clarity. <br><br> With over four years of experience in news and trend reporting, Kanishka has worked with leading organisations such as Hindustan Times and Times Now. She moves seamlessly between profiling business leaders and telling the stories of everyday people, covering national developments just as effortlessly as the memes and conversations that dominate online culture. <br><br> She also reports on real estate developments and civic challenges in major urban hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurugram. Her coverage frequently explores the struggles of startup founders, inspiring journeys of CEOs, and the experiences of candidates dealing with the complexities of visa processes. <br><br> Kanishka holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism from Delhi University and a diploma from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. Rarely offline, she spends much of her time scrolling through X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook in search of the next big story. When she finally logs off, she enjoys binge-watching shows and exploring cafes in pursuit of good food and better conversations.
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